Thief River Falls – Orrin Aune, 83, of Thief River Falls, passed away on Monday, September 22, 2025 at the Thief River Care Center in Thief River Falls.
Orrin Phillip Aune was born on November 2, 1941, in Thief River Falls, the son of Olaf and Paula (Buck) Aune. Orrin lived and worked on the family farm, was active in 4-H, graduated from Middle River High School, and carried many fond memories of his youth with him always.
In November 1960, Orrin enlisted in the U.S. Army and served for two years, including a year stationed in Korea. After returning home, he moved to Minneapolis where he worked various jobs, including road construction. Orrin also worked for Coast to Coast, where he was recruited to play on their softball team and traveled to the National Championship in New York.
In 1964 Orrin met Jacquelyn Spencer, the love of his life, at Lake Independence near Wayzata while showing off his water-skiing skills. Orrin and Jackie were married on January 16, 1965 during a blizzard. They started their life in Minneapolis where Orrin earned his barber license and shortly after moved to Thief River Falls where they raised their three children, Lon, Kim, and Gwen. While living in Thief River Falls Orrin was co-owner of Model Hair Shoppe and an active member of the community including a volunteer youth coach, member of Jaycees, Elks Lodge, VFW, and serving as a church board member.
In 1983 Orrin started working in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska on the pipeline and before long, moved the family to Anchorage because Orrin and Jackie couldn’t be apart. In Alaska Orrin also worked as a barber and as a “taxi driver” for all of their many visitors. While in Alaska he enjoyed camping, snow machining, bowling, dancing, and making memories with friends and family. Orrin and Jackie had many fond memories of their Alaska adventures.
In 2001 Orrin and Jackie left Alaska and traveled around the United States until they settled in Glenwood, MN. Orrin barbered in Glenwood and Parkers Prairie until his retirement in 2017 at the age of 76. April of 2020 brought Orrin and Jackie home to Thief River Falls.
Above all else, Orrin was a devoted family man – a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend.
Orrin is survived by his children, Lon (Kristy) Aune of East Grand Forks, Kim (John) Paxton of Greeley, CO, and Gwen (Jason) Munguia of Centennial, CO; grandchildren, Kelsey (Jared) Clausen and their children Peter, Micah, Anna, Eden, and Luke of Grand Forks, ND, Kyle Aune of East Grand Forks, MN, Spencer (Keary) Aune and their children Philip, Josephine “Josie, and Charlotte “Lottie” of Bismarck, ND, Alyssa Munguia of Centennial, CO. and Jason Munguia of Scottsdale, AZ, Haley Paxton of Northridge, CA, Laiken (Eric) Strawn and their children, Weston and Cameron, and Brooke Paxton of Tucson, AZ; siblings, Janis (Floyd) Jesme, Gerald (Val) Aune, Mavis (Dale) Newton, Raymond (Sue) Aune, Connie Graff, and Lyle (Julie) Aune; sisters-in-law, Sharon Kibler, and Donna (Duane) Ritter; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents and Jackie’s parents, Charles and Verna Spencer; brother, Jay Aune and baby brother; sister, Carol Aune; brothers-in-law, Richard and his wife Judy, Bob Swanson and his wife Carol, Mearl Kibler, and Roger Graff; sister-in-law, Marlene and her husband Hank Schraufnagel.
A Memorial Service in honor of Orrin will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, October 10, 2025 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, with Pastor Jared Clausen officiating. Interment will follow at Moose River Cemetery in Gatzke.
Visitation will take place from 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM on Friday, October 10, 2025 at Johnson Funeral Service.
Family condolences may be sent to www.johnsonfuneralservice.com
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